ZETAG 4120 DK is a high-performance anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) flocculant widely used in solid–liquid separation processes across multiple industries. It is characterized by very high molecular weight, medium to high anionic charge density, rapid solubility, and excellent particle-bridging capability. These features enable ZETAG 4120 DK to efficiently aggregate fine suspended particles into large, dense flocs, delivering fast settling, improved clarification, and enhanced dewatering efficiency.

Due to its strong adaptability to different water chemistries and process conditions, ZETAG 4120 DK is widely applied in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, sludge thickening and dewatering, mining and mineral processing, papermaking, and oilfield water treatment. Its high efficiency, low dosage requirement, and stable performance make it a preferred anionic flocculant for demanding industrial operations.

1. Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment

One of the most important application fields of ZETAG 4120 DK is wastewater treatment, where it is used as a primary flocculant or coagulant aid.

1.1 Municipal Sewage Treatment

In municipal sewage treatment plants, ZETAG 4120 DK is commonly used in primary clarification, secondary clarification, and tertiary treatment processes. When combined with inorganic coagulants such as polyaluminum chloride (PAC), aluminum sulfate, or ferric chloride, it significantly improves:

• Aggregation of fine suspended solids

• Floc size and density

• Settling velocity in sedimentation tanks

• Effluent turbidity reduction

Its strong molecular bridging ability enhances the structure of hydroxide flocs formed by inorganic coagulants, resulting in faster settling and clearer treated water.

1.2 Industrial Effluent Treatment

ZETAG 4120 DK is widely used in the treatment of wastewater from:

• Textile printing and dyeing mills

• Chemical and petrochemical plants

• Food and beverage processing factories

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing

• Metal finishing and electroplating industries

These wastewaters often contain colloids, emulsified oils, dyes, pigments, and fine organic particles that are difficult to settle naturally. ZETAG 4120 DK effectively removes suspended solids, improves color and COD reduction, and ensures stable compliance with discharge or reuse standards.

2. Sludge Thickening and Dewatering

Another major application of ZETAG 4120 DK is in sludge thickening and mechanical dewatering, which is essential for volume reduction and cost control.

2.1 Municipal Sludge Dewatering

In municipal wastewater treatment plants, excess biological sludge must be dewatered before disposal, incineration, or further treatment. ZETAG 4120 DK is widely used in:

• Belt filter presses

• Centrifuges

• Screw presses

• Plate and frame filter presses

It improves sludge floc strength, enhances drainage performance, reduces filtration resistance, and significantly increases sludge cake dryness. Higher cake dryness directly reduces sludge transport, drying, and landfill costs.

2.2 Industrial Sludge Treatment

For sludge generated from papermaking, chemical manufacturing, mining, food processing, and metal treatment, ZETAG 4120 DK effectively disrupts the bound-water structure of sludge flocs, accelerates water release, and ensures stable dewatering even when sludge composition fluctuates. This allows operators to maintain consistent production efficiency and lower chemical consumption.

3. Mining and Mineral Processing

ZETAG 4120 DK plays a crucial role in mining and mineral beneficiation operations, particularly in tailings thickening, concentrate clarification, and process water recovery.

3.1 Tailings Thickening and Clarification

During beneficiation of minerals such as:

• Copper

• Gold

• Iron ore

• Phosphate

• Coal

• Bauxite

Large volumes of fine tailings slurry are generated. ZETAG 4120 DK is used in high-rate and high-density thickeners to rapidly flocculate ultra-fine mineral particles such as clay, silica, and metal oxides. This results in:

• Faster settling rates

• Higher underflow solids concentration

• Lower overflow turbidity

• Improved thickener capacity

3.2 Water Recycling and Environmental Control

By improving water separation efficiency, ZETAG 4120 DK allows mining operators to recycle large volumes of clarified water back into the production process. This reduces freshwater consumption, minimizes wastewater discharge, improves tailings dam safety, and supports compliance with strict environmental regulations.

4. Papermaking Industry

ZETAG 4120 DK is widely used in the papermaking industry for both process water treatment and sludge dewatering.

4.1 White Water Clarification

In paper production, large amounts of circulating white water contain fine fibers, fillers, and pigments. ZETAG 4120 DK helps to:

• Rapidly aggregate fine fibers and fillers

• Improve fiber and filler recovery

• Reduce suspended solids in circulating water

• Improve paper machine runnability

• Decrease fresh water consumption and raw-material loss

4.2 Papermaking Sludge Dewatering

Paper mill sludge typically contains high fiber content and fine fillers, making it difficult to dewater. ZETAG 4120 DK improves sludge conditioning, strengthens floc structure, and increases sludge cake dryness, significantly reducing sludge disposal volume and cost.

5. Oilfield and Energy Industry Water Treatment

In the oil and gas industry, ZETAG 4120 DK is used for produced water treatment, drilling wastewater treatment, and refinery effluent clarification.

5.1 Produced Water Treatment

Oilfield produced water contains oil droplets, polymers, suspended solids, and mineral fines. ZETAG 4120 DK enhances solid–liquid separation and supports oil–water separation efficiency, allowing treated water to meet reinjection or discharge standards.

5.2 Drilling and Fracturing Wastewater

During drilling and hydraulic fracturing, large volumes of wastewater containing drilling mud, sand, and cuttings are generated. ZETAG 4120 DK accelerates the settling of these fine particles, improves water reuse efficiency, and reduces wastewater disposal pressure.

6. Other Industrial Applications

In addition to major industries, ZETAG 4120 DK is also widely applied in:

• Ceramic and glass wastewater clarification

• Sugar refinery and starch processing wastewater

• Leather and tannery effluents

• Chemical reaction by-product separation

Its strong chemical stability and wide pH adaptability enable reliable performance under complex wastewater conditions.

7. Key Application Advantages of ZETAG 4120 DK

ZETAG 4120 DK is favored in industrial operations due to several technical and economic advantages:

• Very high molecular weight for superior particle-bridging ability

• Fast floc formation and rapid settling performance

• Low dosage requirement and high cost-effectiveness

• Excellent adaptability to varying pH and salinity

• Improved thickener underflow concentration

• Enhanced sludge cake dryness and reduced disposal costs

Conclusion

ZETAG 4120 DK is a highly efficient anionic polyacrylamide flocculant with wide-ranging applications in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, sludge thickening and dewatering, mining and mineral processing, papermaking, and oilfield water treatment. Its strong flocculation ability, fast settling performance, low dosage requirement, and excellent adaptability make it a reliable and cost-effective solution for modern solid–liquid separation processes.